Tim Donaghy, the disgraced former NBA referee and centerpiece of the league’s 2007 betting scandal, woke up Sunday off of probation and ready to move forward.

He told The Linemakers on Sporting News that he plans to celebrate his release by taking in an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden, when the New York Knicks host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.

NBA commissioner David Stern certainly will be thrilled.

It is not known, however, whether the NBA will try to prevent Donaghy from attending the game. A spokesperson for the NBA has not returned multiple requests for comment.

“I don’t think there is any reason why they’d remove me from the stadium,” Donaghy told The Linemakers via phone from his Sarasota, Fla. home. “I’m there to take in a game and look at some live action and do a bit of scouting. I’m not even too sure that anyone is really going to notice me, to be honest with you.”

We’re guessing the TV cameras will notice.

Donaghy pleaded guilty to two felony gambling charges in August 2007, after an investigation found he had been betting on NBA games for four years, including ones that he officiated. During the investigation, Stern worked closely with veteran Vegas oddsmaker and vice president of Stations Casino, Art Manteris.

Donaghy served 13 months in prison, was divorced and had his finances battered by a failed book deal and inconsistent employment. His accounts of the betting scandal have been contradicted heavily and his credibility is constantly questioned.

But the 45-year-old father of four hopes the end of his probation will begin the next chapter of his life. It’s a chapter, though, that will again include gambling. He hasn’t been able to find work in any other field.

After being released from prison on Nov. 4, 2009, Donaghy said in court that he had submitted 150 résumés during his job search. He briefly worked at a licensed gambling treatment center, Firststep Inc., but said the New Jersey-based center was unable to pay due to financial issues.

This summer, he won a $1.7 million judgment against his former book publisher, Shawna Vercher, a political radio talk show host in Tampa, but has yet to receive any money from the ruling. Donaghy was in court last week continuing the legal pursuit of money from Vercher.

In the meantime, Donaghy is turning his attention to his new career as a sports handicapper for a gambling website.

“I’m moving on to another phase in my life and that is helping Danny B. and his clients.”

Danny B., aka Daniel T. Biancullo, is Donaghy’s boss and also a convicted felon. Biancullo is a pick-seller from New Jersey who runs the handicapping site Dannybwins.com. Donaghy will appear on radio shows and provide analysis and picks on the NBA.

The two previously worked together from October 2010 until July. But U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon put an end to that, after it was revealed Biancullo had a past felony conviction on gambling-related charges. The terms of Donaghy’s probation prevented him from associating with felons.

Biancullo will also be Donaghy’s companion for Friday’s game. The appearance at Friday’s game has been planned for years. It’s a publicity stunt, Biancullo admits openly.

Donaghy’s value to Biancullo’s clients derives from his experience as an NBA referee. He says he still spots tendencies of his former referee colleagues. For example, he said some officials tend be more strict about enforcing hand-checking, which slows the game down and causes foul trouble, while others are more loose with the interpretation and keep the game flowing.

When more fouls are called, games tend to be higher-scoring because the clock stops more often and more free throws are taken. This dynamic can impact whether a game goes OVER or UNDER the total posted in Las Vegas.

“I’m not saying anyone is gambling or any ref is doing something they shouldn’t in the game,” Donaghy said. “But they have tendencies and call a game a certain way.”